Theresa J. Bailey

October 15, 1925 - September 22, 2018

Theresa Bailey, age 92, of Jupiter, Florida passed away on September 22, 2018. Born on October 15, 1925 in Holyoke, MA, and christened Theresa Jadwiga Pietruskiewicz, she was the youngest of nine children born to parents who had immigrated from Poland. As a high school student during WWII she had hopes of becoming a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots); she trained and received her pilot certificate at age 17. In her senior yearbook, she was lovingly referred to as the “queen of the ferries”. However, the WASP’s were disbanded before her dreams were realized. After the war ended, she married and moved to Jupiter, FL in 1957 as part of the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft initial influx of employees. She was an avid gardener, loved the ocean, and, after working at H&R Block in her younger years, spent her spare time preparing income tax returns for every member of her family. She divided her time between Jupiter and her home in the Florida Keys, where diving for lobsters was an annual family tradition. She was a woman of many talents and was as comfortable gardening as she was remodeling a house. Her husband, Roland, preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Bailey of Jupiter, Audrey Helm of Tequesta, and Janice Grammar of Palm Beach Gardens, in addition to grandchildren: Amie Segall (Matt), Lea Wimer (Mike), and Kyle Grammar and 4 great grandchildren. A gathering of friends and family will be held Friday, 9/28, 5:00 PM with a celebration of life at 6:00 PM at Taylor and Modeen Funeral Home, 250 Center Street, Jupiter, FL. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners Hospital for Children.